Ukraine suffer heartbreak as own goal sees Wales qualify for 2022 World Cup

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Oleksandr Petrakov would like to apologize. The Ukraine coach had just seen his team dominate a World Cup playoff final against Wales in Wales, but a combination of Bale's match-winning qualities and a stunning performance by goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey earned a 1-0 victory, and World Cup qualification.

Even in the bleakest of times, football still matters, as evidenced by the fact that the country has been at war since the beginning of the year. The dream of reaching the World Cup was over.

"We did everything we could, but I want the people of Ukranian to remember our efforts," he said. I apologize for the fact that we didn't score, but this is sport and this is what happens.

As Ukraine's players lay on the turf at the end of the game, Arrigo Sacchi said that football was the most important of the unimportant things in life.

Ukraine's players were crestfallen and devastated, but their red-shirted opponents sprinted to hug a teammate, slide onto the pitch or cry in the crowd. It showed the importance of the game to both sets of players.

For 90 minutes, this was all about football, and Wales haven't been to a World Cup since, despite the fact that the whole world wanted Ukraine to win this playoff and get to the World Cup.

There was a poignant scene when Bale and his teammates walked to the section housing the Ukraine supporters to applaud them as a group.

Rob Page said they wanted to show them respect. We don't agree with what's happening inUkraine, they have played well over two games and their fans traveled here in numbers, but we are all aware of what's happening there. We just wanted to help.

Wales will join England, the United States, and Iran in Group B in the World Cup, but Ukraine left everything on the field. The players did everything but put the ball in the back of the net, despite Petrakov's apology for the failed goal.

Wales keeper Hennessey made nine saves, the most he has ever made in an international match, and he was able to keep out Artem Dovbyk's goal on 84 minutes, which will be remembered as one of the best saves of his career.

Having seen everything roll their way during last Wednesday's 3-1 semifinal win against Scotland in Glasgow,Ukraine felt the bitterness of everything going against them in Wales.

It wasn't the only thing that Hennessey did well. When Yarmolenko headed Bale's free kick into his own net on 33 minutes, he should have been awarded a penalty seven minutes later when he was tripped by Allen, but he was not.

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